Operate Your Desktop PC Via Fiber Optics from up to 250 Meters Away

Getting tired of your noisy and huge desktop PC? Do you need more space in your work room, but you simply can't put away your PC because you've got all sorts or peripherals connected to it? Well, it seems that now there's a solution to all of these problems, since the Matrox Graphics company has just launched a device that will let you operate you PC from up to 250 meters, namely the Matrox Extio F1220 Remote Graphics Unit.

Thus, this extremely useful device links remotely to the computer over fiber optic cable at distances of up to 250 meters, while at the same time being able to connect quite a large number of devices, as for example connecting two digital or two analog monitors, audio, two IEEE 1394 FireWire peripherals, and up to six USB devices. Besides letting you connect just about any external input device you need, the Matrox Extio F1220 is a lot quieter than your desktop PC, since it sports a passive cooling system (heat sink with no fan) for silent operation, and is also quite powerful, as it is able to support resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 per display (via the Matrox UltraSharp Display Output Technology) and comes with its own audio hardware, including a multi-function audio-output connector for optical-S/PDIF signal or analog-stereo signal.

Here's a list of the most important features and specifications this external graphics unit has to offer:

- dimensions: 30.0 cm x 2.9 cm x 14.2 cm;

- uses a 50/125 ?m fiber optics cable for a maximum distance of 250 meters;

- built-in graphics memory: 128 MB;

- features: standard analog audio connectors (microphone, stereo-line-in, and stereo-line-out);

- includes: 2 RGB & 2 DVI connectors;

- can be fitted with: PCI and PCIe (PCI Express) fiber-optic interface cards;

According to the manufacturers, since it eliminates all the noise and heat, and at the same time facilitates system maintenance and support, it could prove to be a very good solution for a number of environments, especially various TV stations and film studios. The Matrox Extio F1220 will be available in the second quarter of 2007, at a yet undisclosed price (probably quite a high one).

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